Busting the Happiness Myths
Most of us want to be happy. What may be getting in our way are some commonly held myths about happiness.
Myth: Happiness is dependent on acquiring certain things or relationships.
Truth: Happiness is a choice you make every day.
If you have every thought, I'll be happy when....I make more money, my kids are older, I meet my soul mate, etc, you are laboring under this commonly held myth. It is interesting to note that research involving people who won the lottery observed that, within 6 months after winning, their happiness level returned to what it had been prior to winning the lottery. Happiness is a state of mind, it is how you choose to view the world and your place in it. Regardless of what is going on around you, happiness is a choice you make every day.
Myth: Happiness is a frivolous luxury
Truth: Happiness is an important part of good health.
Many people minimize the importance of happiness. They think happiness is for kids or self-indulgent wealthy people. Certainly a hard working mother does not have time to worry about happiness. In fact, happiness is an important component of good health - like diet and exercise. Happiness reduces stress which means it also reduces the risk of stress related ailments like high blood, stroke and heart attack. When a person feels happy, their entire nervous system synchronizes and works with less strain on the body. Happy people are also far less likely to suffer from eating disorders, alcoholism and drug abuse.
Myth: Happiness is a function of good luck
Truth: Happiness is a discipline
This myth is partially true, to the extent that genetics are good luck. In 1996, University of Minnesota Professors David Lykken and Auke Tellegen found that everyone has a genetically determined happiness set point. It is like a default setting for happiness. It does not determine whether someone will be happy or not but it is a significant component. Building on that research, Dr. Sonja Lyubomirsky of US Riverside, Dr. Ken Sheldon of the University of Missouri and Dr. David Schkade of UC San Diego developed a model for happiness:
50% of happiness is genetic
10% of happiness is the circumstances of the individual (health, financial security, etc)
40% of happiness is a function of our choices and how we choose to view the world
If you assume that we can also influence our circumstances to some extent, we have control of 50% of our happiness. It takes self-awareness, knowledge and discipline to make ourselves happy.
In our book, "What Happy Working Mothers Know", we provide the information and the tools to help you find your happiness. Check out our website at www.whathappyworkingmothersknow.com
Myth: Happiness is dependent on acquiring certain things or relationships.
Truth: Happiness is a choice you make every day.
If you have every thought, I'll be happy when....I make more money, my kids are older, I meet my soul mate, etc, you are laboring under this commonly held myth. It is interesting to note that research involving people who won the lottery observed that, within 6 months after winning, their happiness level returned to what it had been prior to winning the lottery. Happiness is a state of mind, it is how you choose to view the world and your place in it. Regardless of what is going on around you, happiness is a choice you make every day.
Myth: Happiness is a frivolous luxury
Truth: Happiness is an important part of good health.
Many people minimize the importance of happiness. They think happiness is for kids or self-indulgent wealthy people. Certainly a hard working mother does not have time to worry about happiness. In fact, happiness is an important component of good health - like diet and exercise. Happiness reduces stress which means it also reduces the risk of stress related ailments like high blood, stroke and heart attack. When a person feels happy, their entire nervous system synchronizes and works with less strain on the body. Happy people are also far less likely to suffer from eating disorders, alcoholism and drug abuse.
Myth: Happiness is a function of good luck
Truth: Happiness is a discipline
This myth is partially true, to the extent that genetics are good luck. In 1996, University of Minnesota Professors David Lykken and Auke Tellegen found that everyone has a genetically determined happiness set point. It is like a default setting for happiness. It does not determine whether someone will be happy or not but it is a significant component. Building on that research, Dr. Sonja Lyubomirsky of US Riverside, Dr. Ken Sheldon of the University of Missouri and Dr. David Schkade of UC San Diego developed a model for happiness:
50% of happiness is genetic
10% of happiness is the circumstances of the individual (health, financial security, etc)
40% of happiness is a function of our choices and how we choose to view the world
If you assume that we can also influence our circumstances to some extent, we have control of 50% of our happiness. It takes self-awareness, knowledge and discipline to make ourselves happy.
In our book, "What Happy Working Mothers Know", we provide the information and the tools to help you find your happiness. Check out our website at www.whathappyworkingmothersknow.com
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